Man remanded over car on line train crash

A man was remanded in custody today accused of attempted murder after a train crashed into a car deliberately abandoned on a level crossing.

Thomas Patrick McLaughlin, 21, appeared in court over the collision in which 30 passengers and a Northern Ireland Railways crew had a narrow escape.

The train ploughed into the car at 60mph near Dunloy, Co Antrim on Monday. Passengers suffered shock but no physical injury.

Police said they were treating it as a case of attempted murder because the car had not been left across the line, but lengthways along it.

The train hit the rear of the vehicle and shunted it more than 350 yards down the track before coming to a halt.

McLaughlin, of Carnanreagh Road, Claudy, Co Derry, appeared before Coleraine Magistrates Court and was remanded to appear again via video link on May 23.

A woman arrested for questioning about the incident was released by police pending a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions, said a spokesman.

A second man arrested for questioning was released without charge.